1. You can compare std::string objects with ==.
2. If you think using std::string is more complex than character arrays:
....either you are deliberately giving out wrong information.
....or more likely ...you use a prehistoric compiler and have never used strings.
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Also I think I agree with kmdv's post.
@Laserlight : Don't you think using a std::list would be a wrong thing to do ...for a student when he is learning about the implementation of a linked list ?